August was marked by above-average rainfall, extreme temperatures and low humidity, says Inmet

The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) published, this Tuesday (5), a survey of the main meteorological phenomena that occurred in Brazil in August 2023.

The month was marked by flooding, landslides and impacts on agribusiness and also by the occurrence of rain in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Distrito Federal and Amapá, with volumes that exceeded the historical average.

Furthermore, August also recorded extreme temperatures and low relative humidity values.

Rain

In August, the largest accumulations of rain (blue tones) were concentrated in the northwest of the country, mainly due to the combination of heat and high humidity. In the Southeast Region, the formation of a humidity channel was responsible for the occurrence of accumulated rain, especially in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. In the central portion of the country, there was little rain and, in some locations, it did not rain, in keeping with the dry period at this time of year.

The combination of heat and high humidity caused rain to occur in the North Region, such as in the municipalities of Barcelos (AM), with 67,6 mm, on 03/08, and in Macapá (AP), with 105,6 mm, on day 05/08.

The formation of a moisture channel extended from the Amazon, crossing Brazilian territory, and the action of a frontal system over the Atlantic Ocean, together with the wind pattern at low levels of the atmosphere, favored rain showers in the Southeast Region. Highlight for the highest volumes occurred, mainly on 28/08, in the municipalities of Bertioga (SP), with 85,4 mm, Vila Velha (ES), with 76 mm, Macaé (RJ), with 71,4 mm, and Montalvânia (MG), with 108,2 mm, on 29/08.

Figure 2a shows the satellite image from 05/08/2023, at 22:20 pm (Brasília time), which highlights the rain in the extreme north of the country, but especially in the state of Amapá.

Figure 2b highlights the formation of a humidity channel with rain showers from Amazonas to Minas Gerais on 30/08/2023, at 18:40 pm (Brasília time). It is worth mentioning that areas in red indicate regions that are more favorable for the occurrence of intense rains.